Midwesterners can choose from seven top-notch sports management degree programs in Wisconsin to follow their passion for athletics. Nicknamed “America’s Dairyland,” Wisconsin is the 20th most populous state with over 5.7 million residents who are largely sports fans. Since 1920, Wisconsin has been the famous NFL home for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers have become one of the country’s most successful small-market franchises with 13 football championships. The Bleacher Report named Milwaukee the 11st “Best City to Be a Sports Fan” with the Brewers, Bucks, Admirals, and Wave playing here. The Wisconsin Badgers also have a highly regarded collegiate program with three Rose Bowl trophies. Consider the following sports management schools in Wisconsin to find leadership in the state’s exciting industry.
Rankings
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Cardinal Stritch University College of Arts & Sciences
Endowed for $27.8 million, Cardinal Stritch University is the country’s largest private, nonprofit Roman Catholic institution affiliated with the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi to educate over 3,800 students from a 40-acre suburban campus in Milwaukee and 13 extensions from Brookfield to Madison. Competing in the NAIA, the Wolves won the Division II National Championship for men’s basketball in 2013. Named the 34th “Best Four-Year College for Adult Learners” in Washington Monthly, Cardinal Stritch is ranked the Midwest’s 162nd best overall university by Forbes. The College of Arts & Sciences houses two sports management degree programs in Wisconsin with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio.
B.A. Sport Management
At Cardinal Stritch, the B.A. Sport Management offers an applied business education for undergraduates interested in serving managerial roles in today’s sport and entertainment industry. The 42-credit major focuses on applying ACBSP-accredited courses in accounting, marketing, media communication, personnel management, finance, and business law in sports-related organizations. Upperclassmen with junior or senior standing can gain six credits for sport management field experience. B.A. students also benefit from the College’s Sport Management Roundtable and Stritch Sport Summit each year. The International Education Office can arrange study abroad opportunities from Australia to the Dominican Republic. Alumni have found success with the Milwaukee Brewers, Special Olympics, Butler University Bulldogs, and more.
M.S. Sport Management
Started in 2015, the M.S. Sport Management is an accelerated, face-to-face program at Cardinal Strictch University that’s designed for graduates seeking advanced administrative training for sports business. Tracks are available for specializing in Collegiate Athletics, Retail Sporting Goods, Facility/Event Management, Fitness Club Management, and Professional Athletics. The 30-credit curriculum is completed within two years with classes meeting just one evening weekly for eight weeks. After orientation, M.S. students explore sport law, public relations, facility design, athletic administration, sport psychology, and more. Graduation requires completing 220 clock hours of field practicum and a capstone research project. Tuition currently costs $765 per credit for an estimated investment of $22,950.
Accreditations
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
6801 North Yates Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
(414) 410-4494
dlunderberg@stritch.edu
Marian University
School of Business
Founded by the Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes in 1936, Marian University is a private, nonprofit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution with more than 2,100 students studying upon its beautiful 80-acre urban campus in Fond du Lac near Lake Winnebago. Named the sixth best Wisconsin college by SmartAsset, Marian University is ranked the Midwest’s 113th top regional university on the U.S. News survey. Nicknamed the Sabres, Marian’s NCAA Division III athletics department sponsors 15 varsity teams, including women’s hockey and lacrosse. The School of Business capitalizes on Marian’s 12:1 student-faculty ratio for personalized career coaching and real-world job skills training.
BSBA in Sport and Recreation Management
Adhering to IACBE standards, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) program introduces Marian students to today’s leading practices for leading businesses in the dynamic global economy. The applied liberal arts core progresses into specialized business coursework with eight customized majors, including Sport and Recreation Management. This 21-credit major focuses learned business skills for application in sports. Several business administration courses could be completed online asynchronously. Finishing the BSBA will require satisfactorily passing a supervised field internship for three credits. This is one of the least selective sports management degree programs in Wisconsin with an 84 percent acceptance rate. Admission progression solely requires a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Accreditations
- International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
45 South National Avenue
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 923-8136
jtgray75@marianuniversity.edu
https://www.marianuniversity.edu/campus-programs/bba-sport-and-recreation-management/
Marquette University
Graduate School of Management
Named for the French Jesuit missionary who discovered Michigan’s first European colony, Marquette University is a prestigious private, nonprofit research institution affiliated with the Society of Jesus to serve over 12,000 students from a 93-acre urban campus in Milwaukee just one mile from Lake Michigan. The Marquette Golden Eagles are an NCAA Division I powerhouse with Big East championships in basketball, golf, and soccer. As America’s 60th best private value on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Marquette was crowned the 86th best national university and 53rd top veteran-friendly school by the U.S. News. The Graduate School of Management is AACSB-accredited for the 102nd best part-time master’s business education.
Master in Leadership – Sports Leadership Specialization
Marquette University stands out among the plethora of MBAs and sports management degree programs in Wisconsin by conferring a Master in Leadership. Designed with a global focus, this 30-credit degree admits cohorts every Fall to begin developing collaborative, decision-making, and communication skills for socially responsible management. Two specializations are offered: Health Care Administration or Sports Leadership. The latter was meticulously crafted by the National Sports Law Institute to suit the $440 billion sports industry’s needs. Students complete face-to-face courses on sports communication, ethical athletic administration, sports finance, and more. Innovative applied learning is integrated with events like the ACG Cup Competition. If desired, a Graduate Certificate in Sports Leadership can also be completed separately.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Straz Hall Suite 275
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 288-7145
jeanne.simmons@marquette.edu
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Health, Exercise Science and Sport Management Department
Belonging to the 13-campus UW system, the University of Wisconsin, Parkside is a public, co-educational higher learning institution endowed for $5.5 million to enroll more than 4,700 students upon its 700-acre suburban campus in Somers midway between Kenosha and Racine. Known for alumni like Darren Elkins and Abdul Jeelani, the UWP Rangers are NCAA Division II members with 12 varsity sports. Distinguished as the nation’s 165th best liberal arts college in Washington Monthly, UW-Parkside holds Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. The Health, Exercise Science and Sport Management (HESM) Department fosters physical wellness with programs from coaching to fitness management.
Sport Management Major
When you’re searching for sports management degree programs in Wisconsin, consider attending UWP for a Sport Management Major that leads to a bachelor’s degree. Housed in the recently renovated Sport and Activity Center, this 120-credit program offers access to an indoor gymnasium and field house, including an eight-lane pool. Students benefit from real-world opportunities to practice proficient skills for fitness professions. The curriculum has successfully produced managers for amateur sports leagues, colleges, recreation centers, and sporting goods stores. That’s because career-specific coursework stresses team-building strategy and effective communication. Outside the classroom, Parkside majors can join the Sport and Fitness Management Club (SFMC) as well as intramurals like disc golf.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
900 Wood Road
P.O. Box 2000
Kenosha, WI 53141
(262) 595-2308
miller1@uwp.edu
https://www.uwp.edu/learn/programs/sportmanagementmajor.cfm
University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
College of Science and Health
Classified as a selective public, doctoral-granting arts and sciences research institution, the University of Wisconsin La Crosse carries a $41 million endowment to promote 110+ academic programs for 10,500 students on its 119-acre urban campus on prairie valley surrounding the Mississippi River. Honored as the 12th fittest school nationally in Men’s Health, UWL is ranked the Midwest’s 31st best regional college and fourth top public university by the U.S. News. The UW-La Crosse Eagles maintain an NCAA Division III athletic department that’s claimed 51 national championships in nine sports. The College of Science and Health (CSAH) features 11 academic departments and runs the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science.
Undergraduate Sport Management Program
UW-Lacrosse is regionally renowned for being the only among sports management degree programs in Wisconsin to receive COSMA accreditation. The bachelor’s program is a proud member of the North American Society for Sport Management to prepare leaders for applied industry roles. Undergraduates gain exposure to the inner workings of amateur, professional, and collegiate athletic clubs within a 120-credit, face-to-face curriculum. Tailoring the program with a Coaching Competitive Athletics Concentration or Sport Broadcasting Minor is possible. Majors must also complete a full-time senior internship for at least 480 clock hours. Past placements have included the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, YSC Sports Marketing, Badger Sports Properties, and Lakeshore Chinooks.
Accreditations
- Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
Mitchell Hall Room 124
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 785-8173
mgibson@uwlax.edu
https://www.uwlax.edu/exercise-sport-science/undergraduate-majorsminors/sport-management/
Viterbo University
Dahl School of Business
Standing proudly atop a 21-acre urban campus in La Crosse amid the rolling hills lining the Mississippi River, Viterbo University is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution maintaining a Catholic and Franciscan tradition since 1890 to educate over 2,600 faithful students. Regarded as Wisconsin’s 14th best value with a net price of $17,850 yearly, Viterbo was ranked the 115th best regional university in the Midwest by the USNWR. Sport management majors gain experience with the Viterbo V-Hawks, an NAIA member with 15 varsity teams. The Dahl School of Business boasts a six-month Mentorship Program that’s sparked a 99 percent job placement rate.
BBA in Sport Management and Leadership
The Dahl School offers a traditional, daytime Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program that’s approved by the ACBSP for enhancing undergraduates’ leadership abilities. Students customize their learning by selecting from 10 concentrations, such as Sport Management and Leadership. Selecting this route will integrate sport psychology, sport finance, sports law, and facility management courses into your four-year plan. Both technical business and interpersonal skills are emphasized for leading the multi-billion industry. Viterbo students are guaranteed paid internships, which makes this one of the best practical sports management degree programs in Wisconsin. Undergraduates can also hasten their advancement with the 4+1 BBA to MBA in Ethical Leadership program.
Accreditations
- Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA)
Contact
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 796-3359
djwaters@viterbo.edu
Sporting events are woven into Wisconsin’s culture from the bitterly cold winters to the blistering hot summers. Being a supreme athlete isn’t the only way to enter the Great Lakes’ booming sports industry though. Sports management is a rapidly growing field that allows strategic businesspeople the opportunity to manage athletes, teams, and their facilities. According to CareerBuilder, jobs in sports-related industries are projected to rise faster-than-average by 12.6 percent. From Lambeau Field to the Bradley Center, these sports management degree programs in Wisconsin can help you score your dream job offer.
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